Apparatus for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object

ABSTRACT

An irradiation assembly for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include an irradiation device and a magnetic mounting device configured to displaceably support the irradiation device. The irradiation device may include one or more illumination elements respectively configured to emit an energy beam. The magnetic mounting device may include a magnetic slider element coupled to the irradiation device and a magnetic stator element couplable to a housing structure of an additive manufacturing machine. The magnetic stator element may include a displacement track configured to guide the magnetic slider element along a movement path above at least a portion of a construction plane of the additive manufacturing machine while the one or more illumination elements respectively emit the energy beam to selectively irradiate build material at specified regions of the construction plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/078,622, filed Aug. 21, 2018, which is scheduled to issue as U.S.Pat. No. 11,052,605 on Jul. 6, 2021, which is a United States nationalentry of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/054496, filed Feb. 27,2017, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2016 104180.7, filed Mar. 8, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety as if set forth verbatim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a cut-out view along the intersection II-II in the deviceshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to a furtherexemplary embodiment in a view analog to that in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to a furtherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to a furtherexemplary embodiment:

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to a furtherexemplary embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns a device for the additive manufacture of athree-dimensional object by successive, layered, selective illuminationand associated solidification of built material layers formed in aconstruction plane of a built material that can be solidified by meansof at least one energy beam, comprising an illumination device whichcomprises at least one illumination element to generate an energy beamdirected to the construction plane for the selective illumination of abuilt material layer that is to be selectively solidified.

Such devices for additive or generative manufacture of three-dimensionalobjects are known. By means of corresponding devices, three-dimensionalobjects are additively or generatively built up through successive,layered, selective illumination and thereby associated solidification ofbuilt material layers of solidifiable built material applied in aconstruction plane in respective transverse areas of the object to bemanufactured by means of an energy beam. The successive, layered,selective illumination and thus solidification of built material layersto be solidified is accomplished based on the geometrical form—that is,particularly, the construction data describing the transverse geometryof the layers of the respective three-dimensional object.

An illumination device is available for the selective illumination ofbuilt material layers which are to be selectively solidified. Theillumination device comprises one or more illumination elements, whichare configured for the production of an energy beam on the constructionlevel.

Displaceable mounting of corresponding illumination elements isparticularly advantageous with comparatively large construction planesor volumes. The conventional technical solutions are, however, in needof further development as regards, for example, flexibility, precision,and ease of moving the illumination elements.

The object of the invention concerns an improved device for the additivemanufacture of three-dimensional objects especially in regard toflexibility, precision, and smoothness of operation of the illuminationelements.

The object is fulfilled by a device according to Claim 1. The dependentclaims concern particular forms of embodiment of the device. The objectis further fulfilled by a procedure in accordance with Claim 12.

The device described herein generally serves the purpose of the additiveor generative manufacture of at least one three-dimensional object—thatis for example, a technical component or a technical component groupthrough successive, layered, selective illumination and associatedsolidification of individual built material layers from a solidifiablebuilt material by means of at least one energy beam produced by at leastone appurtenant illumination element. The energy beam can be a laserbeam and the device can correspondingly be one for carrying out aselective laser melt process (SLM process) or selective laser sinteringprocess (SLS process).

The built material suitable for solidification by means of correspondingenergy radiation can be a metallic, plastic, and/or ceramic material inparticle or powder form. A powdered mixture of different metals,plastics, or ceramics can be understood as metal, plastic, or ceramicpowder. A metal powder is understood as being a powder of at least onemetal alloy.

The successive, layered, selective illumination and the associatedsuccessive, layered, selective solidification of the built materiallayers to be solidified for manufacture of a three-dimensional object(in the following designated as “object”) are accomplished on the basisof construction data of the object. Corresponding construction datagenerally describe the geometrical or geometrical constructive form ofthe object. Corresponding construction data can, for example, be CADdata of the object being manufactured or contain such data.

The device comprises all of the functional components necessary forcarrying out additive construction processes. Since the functional orconstructive structure of corresponding devices is known, only theessential functional components of the device relevant to theexplanation of the principle described herein will be explained in thefollowing.

The first essential functional component of the device for the principledescribed here is an illumination device. The illumination devicecomprises at least one illumination element, which is configured for theproduction of an energy beam directed to the construction level forselective illumination to selectively solidify the built material layer.It is explained below that it concerns, for example, an illuminationelement, among others, for example, a laser diode element or cancomprise an illumination element, at least a laser diode element.

A further functional component of the device that is essential forexplanation of the principle described here is a magnetic motion andmounting device (“magnetic mounting device” in the following), which isconfigured for displaceable mounting of at least one illuminationelement (configured inside a construction or processing chamber on theside of the device) in at least one degree of freedom relative to theconstruction level. The displaceable mounting realized by means of themagnetic mounting device is based—as seen below in more detail—on amagnetic interaction between different magnetic components of themounting device attached to different functional components of thedevice and allows a particularly precise, fast, and smooth-running, i.e.wear-resistant, movement of individual, several, or all illuminationelements in at least one degree of freedom relative to the constructionlevel. Movements of an illumination element can comprise translatorydegrees of freedom along at least one translation axis and/or rotationaldegree of freedom around at least one rotation axis. It can be, forexample, linear movement along a linear displacement axis (translationaxis) and/or a rotary motion around a rotary axis (rotation axis) inmovement of an illumination element relative to the construction leveland/or relative to at least one further illumination element.Individual, several, or all illumination elements can, of course, becombined to be displaceable in different degrees of freedom.

The magnetic mounting device allows for a precise, fast, and flexiblealignment and arrangement of respective illumination elements relativeto the construction level, which can be particularly advantageous in thecase of comparatively complex geometries of the manufactured object andcomparatively large construction levels or construction volumes in orderto maintain the highest possible component quality, the highest possibleconstruction rate, and the highest possible consistent load factor ofthe respective illumination elements.

For the instance in which the illumination device comprises a number ofillumination elements, with a certain number of illumination elementsbeing consolidated structurally in at least one illumination elementgroup, different illumination element groups can bedisplaceable—dependently or independently of each other—in relation toan object being manufactured. A respective illumination element groupcan comprise a given number of illumination elements in a givenorientation relative to each other, for example in rows and/or columns.

Overall, the device described here is an improved device, because it isespecially flexible, precise, fast, and smooth-running due to thelow-wear movement of the respective illumination elements. It is thus animproved device.

The magnetic mounting device typically comprises at least one magneticstator element installed or formed on the housing side of the device,especially at least in part above the construction level and the statorelement configured and associated with it, and at least one magneticslider element installed and configured to be displaceably coupled withat least one illumination element. The magnetic slider element isdisplaceably mounted by means of magnetic interaction with the magneticstator element. The displaceable mounting of a respective illuminationelement is thus realized by means of magnetic interaction between themagnetic stator element and a slider element connected displaceably withthe illumination element. Both the magnetic stator element and themagnetic slider element typically comprise as an active magneticconstituent at least an electromagnetic component, to which theelectrical supply for the magnetic stator element and/or the magneticslider element is connected. In this connection, an electricalconnection is possible between the magnetic stator element and themagnetic slider element. The electrical connection between a magneticstator element and a magnetic slider element can be realized, forexample, by means of an electrical connector, in particular anelectrical connection cable between a magnetic stator element and amagnetic slider element.

Respective magnetic stator or slider elements are typical constituentsof planar drives. The magnetic mounting device can thus be comprised asa planar drive or at least include one.

In view of the configuration of the magnetic mounting device as a planardrive, the magnetic mounting device can comprise the requiredappropriate functional components for realization of a correspondingplanar drive—that is, for example, a slide bearing device enabling amagnetic slide element to slide along the magnetic stator element and/ora (pneumatic) mounting device enabling a (pneumatic) floating mountingof a magnetic slider element along the magnetic stator elements mountingdevice.

At least one magnetic stator element typically comprises at least oneplanar stator element section defining a displacement track or level fora magnetic slider element. The concept “planar” means both even anduneven, for example curved or arcuate, surfaces. A planar stator elementsection can, accordingly, be configured to be planar—at least insections, but particularly in its entirety—or to be curved or arcuate,at least in sections, but particularly in its entirety, especially as adome shape.

A planar stator element section can also be configured parallel and/orrelative to the construction level. A parallel configuration of a planarstator element section relative to the construction level enables amovement of respective magnetic slide elements or illumination elementsconnected to move with it and thus at a right angle, i.e. with anillumination angle of approx. 900 relative to the construction level forillumination of the construction level. An angled, for example inclined,configuration of a planar stator element section enables movement ofrespective magnetic slider elements or illumination elements connectedfor displacement in an angle (clearly) under 90° relative to theconstruction level and thus an angled, i.e. under an illumination angle<90°, in particular between 1 and 89°, preferably between 10 and 80°relative to the construction level, for illumination of the constructionlevel.

It holds generally that different displacement tracks or levels ofrespective magnetic slider elements and thus a maximum of flexibilitywith regard to possible displacement of respective illumination elementsand illumination situations resulting therefrom can be realized bygeometric embodiment—that is, especially, form and dimensions ofrespective planar stator element sections and/or the orientation ofrespective planar stator element sections relative to the constructionlevel.

Typically at least one planar stator element section is configuredparallel to the construction level and above the construction level. Theplanar extension of a planar stator element section configured parallelto the construction level above the construction level is selected sothat the planar stator element section covers the construction level atleast in sections, and where appropriate completely. There is, ofcourse, a sufficiently large distance between the stator element sectionand the construction level so that the magnetic interaction between themagnetic stator element and the magnetic slider element has no(magnetic) influence on the quality of a (magnetic or magnetizable)built material layer formed in the construction level. Separate magneticshielding elements can be provided where appropriate, for example, by asuitable shield structure or a suitable shielding material, for examplea shielding plate. At least one shielding element that is locatable orinstalled between the construction level and the magnetic mountingdevice for magnetic shielding of the construction level from themagnetic mounting device can thus be associated with the device.

Planar stator element sections that are angled relative to theconstruction level can extend at least in sections, and whereappropriate completely, along the outer dimensions of the constructionlevel and enclose the outside dimensions of the construction level insections or, where appropriate, completely. Of course, several angledplanar stator element sections at an angle relative to the constructionlevel, which surround the outer dimensions of the construction levelcompletely or at least in sections, can be present at least in sectionsor, where appropriate, completely. An at least sectional “framing” ofthe construction level with corresponding planar stator element sectionscan be obtained through an angled configuration of respective planarstator element sections. (Simultaneous) illumination of the constructionlevel is possible from different directions and/or with different anglesof illumination by means of magnetic slider elements located onrespective planar stator element sections or respective displaceablymounted illumination elements.

In order further to increase the flexibility of possible movements ofrespective illumination elements and the resulting illuminationsituation—independently of the configuration and orientation ofrespective planar stator element sections relative to the constructionlevel—planar stator element sections in at least one degree of freedomcan also be configured relative to the construction level. The planarstator element sections are secured on a displaceably configuredretention device with at least one degree of freedom relative to theconstruction level. Movements of a corresponding retention device cancomprise translatory degrees of freedom along at least one translationaxis and/or rotational degree of freedom around at least one rotationaxis. It can be a matter of linear movement along a linear movement axis(translation axis) and/or a rotary motion around a rotary axis (rotationaxis) in displacement of a corresponding retention device relative tothe construction level. The retention device can, of course, be combinedto be displaceable in different degrees of freedom.

Individual, several, or all planar stator element portions can be formedin a modular manner, with the modular formed planar stator elementsections being removably attached or attached to the device side on ahousing structure of the device in at least one predeterminedarrangement position relative to the construction plane. The housingstructure can, for example, be configured with differently orientedrecording devices for respective recording of at least one planar statorelement section, for example, with respect to the geometrical design.i.e. in particular the dimensions and form of the recording devices thatcan be inserted for recording at least one planar stator elementsection. In this way it is possible to configure the device individuallywith regard to certain “construction jobs,” i.e. the additivemanufacture of certain objects in order to achieve the highest qualityof component and/or construction rate.

An illumination element can be formed as a laser diode element or alens-shaped, optical element that can be coupled with or is coupled witha laser diode element, or as a scanner element as part of an opticalscanner device, or comprise at least one of the elements mentioned. Anadvantage of laser diode elements is their light weight, so that fordisplacement of the illumination elements there is comparatively littleweight to move.

Respective laser diode and scanner elements can be installed inside aconstruction or processing chamber limited by a housing structure on theside of the device in which additive construction procedures are carriedout. On or more laser diode elements can, however, also be installedoutside a corresponding construction or processing chamber. In this caseoptical elements can be coupled or are coupled inside the constructionor processing chamber with at least one laser diode element, for examplein the form of optical lens elements for focusing an energy beam on theconstruction level.

The invention further concerns a method for the additive manufacture ofat least one three-dimensional object by successive, layered, selectivesolidification of individual built material layers from solidifiablebuilt material by means of an energy beam. The process can be one forcarrying out a selective laser melt process (SLM process) or selectivelaser sintering process (SLS process). The procedure is characterized inthat a device as described is used for the additive manufacture of athree-dimensional object. Accordingly, all above-mentioned embodimentsin connection with the device are analogously valid for the procedure.

The invention is explained in more detail in the exemplary embodimentsin the drawings. The following are shown:

FIGS. 1-6 show a schematic diagram of a device for the additivemanufacture of a three-dimensional object according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Device 1 serves the purpose of the additive manufacture ofthree-dimensional objects 2, i.e. in particular of a technical componentor technical component group, by means of successive, layered, selectiveillumination and associated successive, layered, selective illuminationand therewith associated solidification of built material layers from asolidifiable built material 3 by means of an energy or laser beam 4.

The solidifiable built material 3 can be a metal powder (mixture), i.e.for example, an aluminum powder (mixture) or a steel powder (mixture),and/or a plastic powder (mixture), i.e. a polyether ether ketone powder(mixture), and/or a ceramic powder (mixture), i.e. an aluminum oxidepowder (mixture).

Respective built material layers to be solidified are formed by means ofa displaceably mounted coating device 6 in the processing chamber 8 ofdevice 1, as indicated by the horizontal double arrow 5 in a processingchamber 8 of device 1 installed through a housing structure 7. An inertgas atmosphere typically prevails in the construction chamber 8, i.e.for example an argon or nitrogen atmosphere. The successive, layered,selective solidification of respective built material to be solidifiedis carried out in that one or more energy beams 4 are selectivelydirected on cross section geometry of layers to be solidified of theobject 2 corresponding to areas of respective built material layers(“selective illumination”).

Respective energy beams 4 are produced by an illumination elements 10 ofan illumination device 9. A respective illumination element 10 isconfigured for production of an energy beam 4 directed to theconstruction level 11 for selective illumination for selectivelysolidifying the built material layer. The illumination elements 10 canbe installed in a row and/or columnar (“matrix-like) configuration.

An illumination element 10 can be a variable (“dimmable”) laser diodeelement, where appropriate in at least one of the parameters concerningthe beam characteristics, i.e. its input power or output power. Laserbeams with varying beam characteristics, for example various energydensity, intensity, etc. can be produced by variation of the input oroutput power, laser beams with varying beam characteristics, etc. Thelaser performance emitted by corresponding laser diode elements aretypically in a range between 0.1 and 10 watts.

Device 1 comprises a magnetic motion and mounting device 2 (“magneticmounting device” in the following), which is configured for displaceablemounting of the illumination device 9 or of the respective illuminationelement 10 relative to construction level 11. The displaceable mountingrealized by means of the magnetic mounting device 12 is based onmagnetic interaction between different magnetic components of themagnetic mounting device 12 associated with different functionalcomponents of the device 1 and allows a particularly precise, fast, andsmooth running, i.e. wear-resistant, movement of the illuminationelements 10 in at least one degree of freedom relative to theconstruction level 11. Movements of an illumination element 10—asindicated by the double arrow P1—can comprise translatory degrees offreedom along at least one translation axis and/or—as indicated by thedouble arrow P2—rotational degree of freedom around at least onerotation axis. A movement of an illumination element 10 can, forexample, be linear movement along a linear movement axis (translationaxis) and/or a rotary motion around a rotary axis (rotation axis).Exemplary translation and displacement axes are depicted as axes of thecoordinate system shown in FIG. 1 . The illumination elements 10 can, ofcourse, be combined to be displaceable in different degrees of freedom.

The magnetic mounting device 12 typically comprises a magnetic statorelement 13 installed or formed on the device side of the housingstructure 7 above the construction level 11 and a magnetic sliderelement 14 with the illumination elements 10 installed or formed, i.e.coupled for displacement with the illumination element 10. The magneticstator element 13 and the magnetic slider elements 14 representmagnetically interacting constituents of a planar drive. The magneticmounting device 12 is configured consequently as a planar drive.

The magnetic stator element 13 is coordinated with the housing structure7, the magnetic slider element 14 with the illumination device 9 or theillumination elements 10. The magnetic slider element 14 is displaceablymounted relative to the magnetic stator element 13 by means of magneticinteraction. The displaceable mounting of the illumination elements 10is thus realized by means of magnetic interaction between the magneticstator element 13 and a magnetic slider element 14 connecteddisplaceably with the illumination elements 10. Both the magnetic statorelement 13 and the magnetic slider element 14 typically comprise as anactive magnetic constituent, typically at least an electromagneticcomponent (not shown in detail) to which the electrical supply 15 forthe magnetic stator element 13 or the magnetic slider element 14 isconnected. FIG. 2 ).

Even though not explicitly depicted in the FIG., the magnetic mountingdevice 12 comprises the required or appropriate functional componentsfor realization of a planar drive, i.e. for example a slide mountingdevice enabling slide mounting of a magnetic slide element 14 along themagnetic stator element 13 and/or a (pneumatic) floating mounting of amagnetic slider element 14 along the mounting device of magnetic statorelement 13 enabling a (pneumatic) mounting device.

FIG. 2 shows a cut-out view along the intersection II-II through device1 with the line of vision in the direction of the cover of housingstructure 7.

On the basis of FIG. 1 , in FIG. 2 it is above all clear that themagnetic stator element 13 comprises a planar stator element section 17.The planar stator element section 17 defines the displacement level onwhich the magnetic slider element 14 is displaceable. The planar statorelement section 17 is configured to be flush (flat) and parallel to theconstruction level 11. The planar extension of the planar stator elementsection 17 is chosen so that the planar stator element section 17 coversthe construction level 11 at least in sections, and where appropriatecompletely. The parallel configuration of the planar stator elementsection 17 relative to the construction level 11 enables a movement ofthe magnetic slide element 14 or therewith displaceably coupledillumination elements 10 parallel to construction level 11 and thus aright angle, i.e. with an illumination angle of approx. 90° relative tothe construction level 11, illumination of the construction level 11.

Furthermore, in FIG. 2 some exemplary displacement positions of themagnetic slider element 14 inside the displacement level defined by thedimensions of the planar stator element section 17 are indicated. Asmentioned, the magnetic slider element 14 is displaceable in anytranslatory and/or rotary degree of freedom.

Furthermore, in FIG. 2 a conceivable possibility can be seen forconfiguration of a designated electricity supply 15 for electric supplyto the electromagnetic constituents on the stator element side or theslider element side. The electrical energy supply 15, for which aconventional electrical source, i.e. for example a grid connection withappurtenant control electronics, is installed here on the stator elementside. The electrical supply of the magnetic slider element 14 isaccomplished by means of an electrical connection element 16 configuredas an electric connection cable between the electrical energy supply 15and the magnetic slider element 14. The electric connection element 16is so structured that it enables the greatest possible freedom ofmovement of the magnetic slider element 14. The electrical connectionelement 16 thus consequently comprises, for example, correspondinglysufficient flexibility and length.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to a furtherexemplary embodiment in a view analog to that in FIG. 2 .

Furthermore, in FIG. 3 it can be seen that the magnetic mounting device12 can comprise several displaceable magnetic slider elements 14 thatare dependent or independent of each other. This is especially for thecase in which the illumination device 9 comprises a number ofillumination elements 10, where a given number of illumination elements10 configured in a given alignment relative to each other, for examplein rows and/or in columns, are consolidated structurally to a (first)illumination element group 18 and a given number in a given alignmentrelative to each other, for example illumination elements 10 in rowsand/or in columns, structurally consolidated into a further illuminationelement group 19. As mentioned, respective magnetic slider elements 14are displaced dependently or independently of each other. Accordingly,respective illumination element groups 18, 10 can be displaceddependently or independently of each other.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to a furtherexemplary embodiment.

The magnetic mounting device 12 comprises several magnetic statorelements 13 here with these respectively associated magnetic sliderelements 14 as a general difference to the exemplary embodiments shownin the previous FIG. Angled, i.e. vertically oriented, magnetic statorelements 13 or planar stator elements sections 17 are present as aparticular difference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the previousFIG. It is, of course, possible to provide only a magnetic statorelement section 13 that is oriented at an angle to construction level11. Planar stator element sections 17 configured at an angle toconstruction level 11 can where appropriate extend completely along theouter dimensions of the construction level 11 and consequently whereappropriate enclose the construction level 11 completely. Several angledplanar stator element sections 17 can, of course, be present relative tothe planar stator element sections 17 relative to the construction level11.

The angled configuration of respective planar stator element sections 17enables (simultaneous) movement of respective magnetic slider elements14 or displaceable illumination elements 10 connected for displacementin different angles α (clearly) under 90° relative to the constructionlevel 11 and thus (simultaneous) angled illumination of constructionlevel 11, i.e. under an illumination angle α<90°, in particular between1 and 89°, preferably between 10 and 80° relative to the constructionlevel 11. Exemplary displacements of the magnetic slider elements 14 areindicated by (horizontal and vertical) double arrows.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to a furtherexemplary embodiment.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , magneticstator elements 13 or planar stator elements sections 17 are oriented atan angle to the construction level 11. It is, of course, possible toprovide only a magnetic stator element section 13 that is inclined at anangle to construction level 11. The angled, inclined configuration ofrespective planar stator element sections 17 relative to theconstruction level 11 also enables movement of respective magneticslider elements 14 or displaceable illumination elements 10 at differentangles α, β (clearly) under 90° relative to the construction level 11and thus angled illumination of construction level 11, i.e. under anillumination angle <90°, in particular between 1 and 80°, preferablybetween 10 and 80° relative to the construction level 11. Exemplarydisplacement of the magnetic slider elements 14 are indicated again bydouble arrows.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to a furtherexemplary embodiment.

In distinction to the exemplary embodiments shown in the previous FIG.,the planar stator element section 17 is not planar (flat) here butrather curved or vaulted, and consequently dome-shaped. Possiblemovements of a magnetic slider element 14 occur here—as indicated by thedouble arrow P3—particularly along a defined curved or arcuatedisplacement track or plane through the curve or curvature of the planarstator element section 17. Exemplary positions of the magnetic sliderelement 14 are shown as dashed.

It holds for all exemplary embodiments that between a respective planarstator element section 17 and the construction level 11 there is asufficiently large distance, so that the magnetic interaction between amagnetic stator element 13 and a magnetic slider element 14 has no(magnetic) influence on the quality of a (magnetic or magnetizable)built material layer formed in the construction level 11. Whereappropriate, separate magnetic shielding elements (not shown) can beprovided, for example from a suitable shield structure or a suitableshielding material, for example a shielding plate, for magneticshielding of the construction level 11 from the mounting device 12.

It further holds for all exemplary embodiments that also the planarstator element sections 17 can be configured at least with one degree offreedom relative to the construction level 11. The planar stator elementsections 17 are secured on a displaceably mounted retention device (notshown) with at least one degree of freedom relative to the constructionlevel 11. Movements of a corresponding retention device can comprisetranslatory degrees of freedom along at least one translation axisand/or rotational degree of freedom around at least one rotation axis.

It finally holds for all exemplary embodiments that individual, several,or all planar stator element sections 17 can be formed in a modularmanner, with the modular formed planar stator element sections 17 beingremovably attached or attached to the device side on a housing structure7 of the device in at least one predetermined arrangement positionrelative to the construction plane 11. The housing structure 7 can, forexample, be configured with differently oriented, for example withrespect to the geometric design, i.e. in particular the dimensions andform of the recording devices (not shown) that can be inserted forrecording at least one planar stator element section 17. In this way itis possible to configure the device 1 individually with regard tocertain “construction jobs,” i.e. the additive manufacture of certainobjects 2 in order to achieve the highest quality of component and/orconstruction rate.

With the devices 1 shown in the FIG., a method can be implemented forthe generative manufacture of a three-dimensional object 2 bysuccessive, layered, selective solidification of built material layersfrom solidifiable built material 3 by means of an energy beam 4. Theprocess can be one for carrying out a selective laser melt process (SLMprocess) or selective laser sintering process (SLS process). Individual,several, or all features shown with reference to a given exemplaryembodiment can be transferred to at least one other exemplaryembodiment.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

-   -   1 Device    -   2 Object    -   3 Built material    -   4 Energy beam    -   5 Double arrow    -   6 Coating device    -   7 Housing structure    -   8 Processing chamber    -   9 Illumination device    -   10 Illumination element    -   11 Construction level    -   12 Magnetic mounting device    -   13 Magnetic stator element    -   14 Magnetic slider element    -   15 Electric energy supply    -   16 Electric connection element    -   17 Planar stator element section    -   18 Illumination element group    -   19 Illumination element group    -   P1 Double arrow    -   P2 Double arrow

The invention claimed is:
 1. An irradiation assembly for additivelymanufacturing three-dimensional objects, the irradiation assemblycomprising: an irradiation device comprising one or more illuminationelements respectively configured to emit an energy beam; and a magneticmounting device configured to displaceably support the irradiationdevice, the magnetic mounting device comprising a magnetic sliderelement coupled to the irradiation device and a magnetic stator elementcouplable to a housing structure of an additive manufacturing machine,at least one of the magnetic slider element and the magnetic statorelement including an active magnetic component configured to hold themagnetic slider element to the magnetic stator element; wherein themagnetic stator element comprises a displacement surface configured tomagnetically slide the magnetic slider element along a movement pathabove at least a portion of a construction plane of the additivemanufacturing machine while the one or more illumination elementsrespectively emit the energy beam to selectively irradiate buildmaterial at one or more regions of the construction plane, wherein thedisplacement surface is configured to magnetically slide the magneticslider element in at least two perpendicular linear movement axesdefined in the displacement surface.
 2. The irradiation assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more illumination elements comprises aplurality of illumination elements arranged in one or more rows and/orone or more columns.
 3. The irradiation assembly of claim 2, wherein theplurality of illumination elements are respectively configured to emitthe energy beam oriented perpendicular to the construction plane.
 4. Theirradiation assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement surface isconfigured to magnetically slide the magnetic slider element about arotary movement axis normal to the displacement surface.
 5. Theirradiation assembly of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of irradiationdevices coupled to the magnetic slider element.
 6. The irradiationassembly of claim 1, comprising: an additional irradiation devicecomprising an additional one or more illumination elements respectivelyconfigured to emit an additional energy beam; wherein the magneticmounting device comprises an additional magnetic slider element coupledto the additional irradiation device; and wherein the displacementsurface is configured to magnetically slide the additional magneticslider element along the movement path above at least a portion of theconstruction plane of the additive manufacturing machine while theadditional one or more illumination elements respectively emit theadditional energy beam to selectively irradiate the build material atone or more regions of the construction plane, wherein the magneticslider element and the additional magnetic slider element are configuredto move independent of one another.
 7. The irradiation assembly of claim1, comprising: an additional irradiation device comprising an additionalone or more illumination elements respectively configured to emit anadditional energy beam; an additional magnetic mounting deviceconfigured to displaceably support the additional irradiation device,the additional magnetic mounting device comprising an additionalmagnetic slider element coupled to the additional irradiation device andan additional magnetic stator element couplable to the housing structureof the additive manufacturing machine, the additional magnetic statorelement oriented in an angular position relative to the constructionplane; and wherein the additional magnetic stator element comprises anadditional displacement surface configured to magnetically slide theadditional magnetic slider element along an additional movement pathabove at least a portion of the construction plane of the additivemanufacturing machine while the additional one or more illuminationelements respectively emit an additional energy beam to selectivelyirradiate the build material at specified regions of the constructionplane.
 8. The irradiation assembly of claim 7, wherein the magneticslider element and the additional magnetic slider element are configuredto move independent of one another.
 9. The irradiation assembly of claim1, comprising: a plurality of irradiation devices respectivelycomprising a plurality of illumination elements, the plurality ofillumination elements respectively configured to emit an energy beam,wherein the plurality of illumination elements corresponding to arespective one of the plurality of irradiation devices are arranged inone or more rows and/or one or more columns; wherein the magneticmounting device comprises a plurality of magnetic slider elementsrespectively coupled to a respective one of the plurality of irradiationdevices, at least one of the plurality of magnetic slider elementsmovable independent of at least another of the plurality of magneticslider elements; wherein the displacement surface is configured tomagnetically slide the plurality of magnetic slider elements along themovement path above at least a portion of the construction plane of theadditive manufacturing machine while the plurality of illuminationelements respectively emit an energy beam to selectively irradiate thebuild material at one or more regions of the construction plane.
 10. Theirradiation assembly of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of irradiationdevices respectively comprising a plurality of illumination elements,the plurality of illumination elements respectively configured to emitan energy beam, wherein the plurality of illumination elementscorresponding to a respective one of the plurality of irradiationdevices are arranged in one or more rows and/or one or more columns;wherein the magnetic mounting device comprises a plurality of magneticstator elements couplable to the housing structure of the additivemanufacturing machine, and a plurality of magnetic slider elementsrespectively coupled to a respective one of the plurality of irradiationdevices, at least one of the plurality of magnetic slider elementsmovable independent of at least another of the plurality of magneticslider elements; wherein respective ones of the plurality of magneticstator elements comprises a corresponding displacement surfaceconfigured to magnetically slide a respective one of the plurality ofmagnetic slider elements along a corresponding one of a plurality ofmovement paths above at least a portion of the construction plane of theadditive manufacturing machine while the corresponding plurality ofillumination elements respectively emit an energy beam to selectivelyirradiate the build material at one or more regions of the constructionplane.
 11. The irradiation assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacementsurface comprises a planar configuration.
 12. The irradiation assemblyof claim 11, wherein the movement path comprises a linear movement path.13. The irradiation assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacementsurface comprises a curved configuration.
 14. The irradiation assemblyof claim 13, wherein the movement path comprises a curved movement path.15. The irradiation assembly of claim 13, wherein the irradiation devicecomprises a scanner element.
 16. The irradiation assembly of claim 15,wherein the irradiation device comprises a plurality of illuminationelements configured to emit a corresponding plurality of energy beams.17. The irradiation assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality ofillumination elements are arranged in one or more rows and/or one ormore columns.
 18. The irradiation assembly of claim 17, wherein thescanner element is configured to direct the corresponding plurality ofenergy beam onto the construction plane at an illumination angle of from10 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the construction plane.
 19. Anadditive manufacturing machine, comprising: a housing structure; and theirradiation assembly of claim 1.